Dispensing closure cap



Oct. 29, 1968 M. B. STULL DI SPENS I NG CLOSURE CAP 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Filed Jan. 24. 1967 INVENTOR. I

Movton E1 tulL I: Ii l/ l E 2 z Oct. 29, 1968 I M. B. STULL 3,407,967

DISPENSING CLOSURE CAP Filed Jan. 24, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet. 2

United States Patent 3,407,967 DISPENSING CLOSURE CAP Morton B. Stull,Boonton, NJ. Stnll Engraving Company, 221-223 Banta Ave., Garfield, NJ.07026) Filed Jan. 24, 1967, Ser. No. 611,325 11 Claims. (Cl. 222-48)ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A dispensing closure cap structure having atubular molded plastic body through which the product passes, and havinga screw cap on the body, provided with a. raised, central orifice whichis closed by a closure pin on the body when the cap is screwed down.Screw means is especially arranged to prevent backlash, and a duct isprovided on the cap between the orifice and the cap interior, said ducthaving means which coacts with the closure pin to accuratelyprogressively restrict the passage for the product as the cap isunscrewed.

Cross references (1) U.S. application Ser. No. 511,593 filed Dec. 6,1965, by Morton B. Stull, and entitled Captive Closure Cap Construction.

(2) U.S. Patent No. 3,216,630.

(3) Copending application of Morton B. Stull, Ser. No. 602,004 filedDec. 15, 1966, and entitled Dispensing Closure Cap.

(4) Copending application of Morton B. Stull, Ser. No. 605,654 filedDec. 29, 1966, and entitled Dispensing Screw-Type Closure Cap now PatentNo. 3,370,764 dated Feb. 27, 1968.

(5) Copending application of Morton B. Stull, Ser. No. 605,805 filedDec. 29, 1966, and entitled Dispensing Closure Cap.

Background This invention relates to molded plastic dispensing closurecaps wherein a stationary body portion holds captive a movable screw capportion which has the discharge orifice.

In some prior captive dispensing cap constructions where an adjustableflow is had by screwing in or unscrewing the cap member the play or lostmotion normally present in the thread means of the cap impairsconsiderably the accuracy of the flow adjustment. Also, the range ofopening of the discharge passage is not ideally suited to the range ofturning of the cap member, and in addition the hardening of product inthe cap and contamination of threads by the product often results inmalfunctioning of the dispensing closure.

Summary The present invention obviates disadvantages of prioradjustable-flow cap constructions, and one object of the invention is toprovide a novel and improved captive screw-cap type adjustable fiowdispensing closure wherein considerable accuracy is had in theadjustment or setting of the flow control means. This is accomplished bythe provision of novel thread systems between the cap member and thebody member on which the cap member is mounted, whereby backlash andlost motion are prevented for the various adjusted cap positions, withthe result that the size of the discharge passage is a true function ofthe rotative position of the cap member. The cap member can have a rangeof turning of from 180 to substantially 360, thereby to adapt theturning movement to the different sizes of discharge passage in the mostadvantageous manner. A wiper action of one of the thread systems tendsto dislodge product from the cap interior and to return it to thecontainer.

Other objects and advantages are to provide an improved cap constructionas above, wherein a compact arrangement is had and small sizes arepossible, wherein the adjustable discharge passage and thread and wipersystems are arranged in a simple manner and can be readily adapted toliquid products of various characteristics, wherein the action isreliable and foolproof, and wherein the parts can be economically moldedand assembled.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an axial sectional view of an adjustable flow cap constructionas provided by the invention.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an axial sectional view of an adjustable flow cap constructionconstituting another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the cap body member of the construction ofFIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an axial sectional view of a cap construction illustrating yetanother embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the cap body member of FIG .7.

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the cap body member of FIG. 7.

Referring first to FIGS. 1-3, the improved adjustable dispensing capconstruction shown therein comprises an upright tubular molded plasticbody 10 which is adapted to be carried on a container such as a plasticsqueeze bottle or the like. The body 10 has a base portion 12 which isarranged to be either screwed onto the neck of the container or else tobe press-fitted thereon in accordance with well-known procedures. Forexample, the base portion 12 may comprise an internally threaded screwcap part. Or, it may comprise the actual upper wall of the container, asmay be readily understood. The tubular body 10 has a central bore 14constituting a dicharge passage for product which is to be discharged ordispensed from the container.

In the body 10 there is a diametric bridge 16 which carries a closurepin 18, locating the latter at the upper end of the discharge passage orbore 14 so as to extend upward from the center of the upper end of thebody 10. Axially movable on the body 10 and surrounding the same is amolded plastic screw cap 20 having an internal thread formation 22 whichis cooperable with an external helical thread 24 disposed on the outerside of the body 10. The helical thread formation 24 includes an axiallyextending bead 26 which joins adjacent upper portions of the thread 24to form therewith a continuous ridge by which product is prevented fromflowing between the threads and contaminating the same.

In addition to the thread system comprising the threads 22, 24 there isadditionally provided a second thread system by which backlash of thecap 20 on the body 10 is prevented, thereby to cause the axial positionof the cap to be a true function of its rotative position. Use is madeof this to insure an accurate control of the size of the dischargepassage leading to the exterior orifice of the cap, as will behereinafter disclosed.

The second thread system comprises a helical track 28 disposed at thebase of the tubular body 10, and a follower or stop lug 30 on theinterior of the cap 20 at the bottom edge thereof. The follower lug 30is adapted to ride on or traverse the track 28 and to remain inengagement therewith under the action of the helical threads 22, 24 asthe cap is turned.

The helical track 28 includes a stop projection 32 having a shouldersurface or side face 34 engageable with a cooperable shoulder surface ofthe stop lug 30 of the cap to limit the unscrewing movement thereof to amaximum of slightly less than 360 from the fully screwed down positionof FIG. 1. In FIG. 1 an opposite shoulder surface of the follower orstop lug 30 is shown as engaged with an end face or shoulder surface 36of the track 28 (which surface is circumferentially spaced from theshoulder surface 34) thereby limiting the fully screwed down position ofthe cap 20. For the position of FIG. 1, the axial bead 26 of the body isalso engaged by a second internal stop lug 38 in the cap 20, thisconstituting a second stop for limiting the screwing in of the cap. Thestop lug 38 is also engageable with a shoulder 40 provided at one end ofthe bridge 16, such engagement occurring when the cap is unscrewedslightly less than 360.

The above structure is essentially similar to that already described inmy copending application, Ser. No. 605,805, filed Dec. 29, 1966, andentitled Dispensing Closure Cap.

The cap member 20 has a discharge opening or orifice 42 disposed at thetop of a central tubular upward extension 44 constituting an uprightduct disposed between and connecting the orifice 42 and the interior ofthe cap 20. The duct 44 surrounds the closure pin 18 and coactstherewith to control the flow of liquid product past the pin. The duct44 has means at its inside, coacting with the pin to control the flow ofproduct. The said flow-control means provides for a progressively lessrestricted passage for the product through the duct 44 and past the pin18 as the cap 20 is unscrewed more and more from the fully seated,sealing or closing position of FIG. 1. In the embodiments of theinvention the flow control means of the ducts comprise a generallytapered bore thereof. As shown in FIG. 1, the bore has an internalgroove 46 providing a generally helical thread 48 engageable with thepin 18. The groove 46 varies in width and depth, being wider and deeperat the bottom of the duct 44 and narrower and shallower at the top ofthe duct. Accordingly, as the cap 20 is unscrewed, more and more of theupper portions of the groove 46 will be removed from the pin 18,resulting in a larger and still larger discharge passage leading fromthe upper interior of the cap 20 to the orifice 42 thereof. When the cap20 is fully unscrewed, only the wider and deeper portions of the groove46 will coact with the pin 18 to define the flow control passage, theremainder of the groove being disposed beyond the top of the closurepin. Thus, the largest discharge passage is provided for this condition.As the cap 20 is screwed down little by little, more and more of theshallower, narrower portions of the discharge groove 46 will surroundthe pin 18, resulting in a lesser rate of flow of the product.

It will be noted that the internal thread 22 is disposed below theexternal thread 24, and that the follower lug is disposed above thehelical track 28. In consequence, looseness and backlash of the cap 20is prevented, and instead the axial position of the cap will clearly bea function of its rotative position and accordingly the relationship ofthe groove 46 with the pin 18 will also be a function of the rotativeposition of the cap 20. There is thus the advantage that an accurateadjustability of the size of the discharge passage is had, by virtue ofthe elimination of backlash in the turning movement (screwing andunscrewing) of the cap 20.

Further, positive stops are provided for the raised and loweredpositions of the cap 20, and contamination of the thread systemscomprising the threads 22, 24 and the track 28 and lug 30 is preventedby virtue of the sealing engagement between the closed-end helicalthread 24 and the cylindrical inner sealing wall 50 of the cap. Theviscous product is thus kept from the track 28 and lug 30,

as well as from the spaces between the screw threads 22, 24.

Also, the base portion 12 can be made like a dial and provided withindicia 51, such as the numbers from 1 to 12 and the word off, disposedin a circle around the outside of the base of the cap 20, and the lattercan have a reference pointer 52 adapted to travel past the numbers toindicate numerically the extent of opening of the cap, or the closedposition thereof. The pointer can cooperate also with a stop lug 53 onthe base portion 12, thereby providing additional positive stop means.The adjusted size of the discharge passage 46 can have an exact specificrelationship with the numbers 51, due to the elimination of backlash inthe screw means of the closure device.

Another embodiment of the invention, wherein a smaller diameter ispossible and wherein there is had a total turning movement of slightlyless than 180, is illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. In these figuresthere is shown a tubular body 54 having an internal bore 56 throughwhich the product is discharged. A diametric bridge 58 mounts a closurepin 60 which is disposed in an orifice 62 of a screw cap 64. The cap 64has internal threads 66 which are cooperable with external threads 68 onthe body 54 to effect axial movement of the cap in response to its beingturned.

In addition to the thread system 66, 68 there is a second thread systemcomprising helical tracks 70 disposed at the upper end of the body 54,on which internal lugs 72 of the screw cap ride. Also, the screw cap 64has additional internal lugs 74 which are engageable with axiallyextending lugs 76 provided on the outer peripheral upper portions of thebody 54. The lugs 74, 76 constitute stops which limit the unscrewingmovement of the cap 64, and the lugs 72 are engageable with end surfaces78 of the tracks 70 to limit the downward or closing movement of the cap64.

A sealing bead 80 in the cap 64 engages a cylindrical surface 82 of thetubular body 54, providing a seal which prevents the product from comingin contact with the cooperable threads 66, 68. A second annular sealingbead 84 on the outer periphery of the tubular body 54 engages aninternal cylindrical surface 86 of the cap 64.

The screw threads 66, 68 in conjunction with the tracks 70 and followerlugs 72 prevent lost motion or backlash as the cap 64 is being screweddown or unscrewed to raise it. A structure as above set forth isessentially disclosed and described in my copending application Ser. No.605,805, filed Dec. 29, 1966, and entitled Dispensing Closure Cap.

By the present invention, the screw cap 64 has an upstanding ductportion 88 provided with a tapered bore comprising tapered V-grooves 90which are of lesser depth near the top of the duct 88 and of greaterdepth near the bottom of the duct. As seen in FIG. 6, the crosssectional shape of the duct 88 may be somewhat in the form of a star,and said cross sectional shape may have a greater or a lesser number ofpoints than that shown. For example, the star shape may have threepoints instead of four, or may have five points or six points, or it mayhave two points or there may be provided but a single groove in place ofthe four grooves 90 which are illustrated.

As the screw cap 64 is unscrewed from the closed, sealing position ofFIG. 4, more and more of the grooves 90 will be removed from around theclosure pin 60, resulting in a correspondingly greater size of dischargepassage through the duct 88. The size of the discharge passage may be atrue function of the rotative position of the cap 64 by virtue of theelimination of backlash in the thread systems provided between the capand the tubular body. By the provision of the tracks 70 at the upper endof the tubular body 54 there is achieved a reduction in the overalldiameter of the cap construction, as will be understood.

Whereas in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 the screw cap has a total turning movementof slightly less than with a small diameter characteristic, in F168. 7,8 and 9 there is illustrated a screw cap of small diameter, which has atotal range of turning of slightly less than 360. In these figures, thetubular body 94 has external screw threads 96 which are cooperable withinternal threads 98 of a screw cap 100. A second thread system isprovided, comprising a helical track 102 at the upper end of the tubularbody 94, said track being engageable by an internal lug 104 at theinside of the screw cap 100. The lug 104 is engageable with side edgesof a stop lug 106 disposed on the upper edge of the body 94, thereby tolimit the turning movement of the cap 100 to less than 360.

The tubular body 94 has a closure pin 108 which is received in adischarge duct 110 terminating in an orifice 112 at the top of the screwcap 100. The duct 110 has a smooth conical or tapered bore comprising afrusto-conical inner wall 114. As the screw cap 100 is unscrewed orturned in the opening direction, more and more of the inner wall 114 ofthe duct 110 will be removed from the closure pin 108, thereby enlargingthe size of the discharge passage defined by the duct. An accurateadjustment of the flow is thus possible, since looseness or lost motionin the screwing or unscrewing movement of the cap 100 is eliminated byvirtue of the two screw thread systems provided.

In the form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the interior lug38 and the helical thread 48 tend to break up and dislodge the productwhich is disposed in the upper portion of the screw cap 20. In the formsof the invention illustrated in FIG. 4-9, the follower lugs 72, 74 tendto break up and dislodge product which is disposed in the upper portionof the screw cap.

Further details of the essential structures and functioning of the capconstruction of FIGS. 7-9 are disclosed and described in my copendingapplication Ser. No. 605,805, filed Dec. 29, 1966, and entitledDispensing Closure Cap.

In all of the forms of the invention an accurate control of the size ofthe discharge passage disposed within the duct of the cap is had, bymerely turning the cap in one direction or the other from the fullyclosed position or positions intermediate the fully closed and fullyopened positions. The cap construction is seen to be simple, and theparts thereof may be readily molded in simple mold cavities andequipment. Accordingly, the manufacturing cost is held to a low figure.The cap constructions have various advantages in addition to enabling anaccurate adjustment of the size of the discharge passage to be had.Contamination of the screw threads is prevented, a positive unscrewingaction is had, and the structures are seen to be compact and ofrelatively small size.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of the claims,and portions of the improvement may be used without others.

I claim:

1. A dispensing closure cap comprising, in combination:

(a) an upright tubular molded plastic, yieldable body adapted to becarried on a container, the bore of said body constituting a dischargepassage for product to be dispensed from the container,

(b) said body having a closure pin disposed at the end of said dischargepassage and extending upward from the center of the upper end of thebody,

(c) a molded plastic screw cap axially movable on said body andsurrounding the same,

((1) cooperable thread means on the tubular body and screw cap foretfecting axial movement of the latter in response to its being turned,

(e) said cap having an orifice in its top, adapted to be closed by theclosure pin when the cap is screwed down on the tubular body, whereinthe improvement comprises:

(f) said screw cap including an upright duct disposed between andconnecting the orifice thereof and the interior of the cap,

(g) said duct surrounding the closure pin and having means at itsinside, coacting with said pin to control the flow of liquid productpast the pin,

(h) said pin and flow-control means providing for a progressively lessrestricted passage for product through the duct as the cap is unscrewedmore and more,

(i) said cooperable thread means comprising two separate thread systemsacting in conjunction with each other to eliminate backlash of the capwhereby the axial position thereof is a true function of its rotaryposition, said rotary position thereby constituting an accuratedeterminer of the degree of restriction of the passage in the duct, forthe product.

2. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) one thread system comprises helical interior and exterior cooperablethreads respectively on the cap and tubular body,

(b) the other thread system comprising a helical track on the tubularbody and a follower lug in the cap, said lug being adapted to traversethe track in engagement therewith under the action of the helicalthreads as the cap is turned.

3. A cap as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the helical track is at the upper end of the tubular body.

4. A cap as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the helical track is at the base of the tubular body.

5. A cap as in claim 2 wherein:

(a) the helical track extends for approximately half a perigon.

6. A cap as in claim 2, wherein:

(a) the helical track extends for approximately a perigon.

7. A cap as in claim 1, wherein:

(a) an indicating means is provided, for giving specific statisticalindications of different unscrewed positions of the cap which has itsblacklash eliminated.

8. A dispensing closure cap comprising, in combination:

(a) an upright tubular molded plastic, yieldable body adapted to becarried on a container, the bore of said body constituting a dischargepassage for product to be dispensed from the container,

(b) said body having a closure pin disposed at the end of said dischargepassage and extending upward from the center of the upper end of thebody,

(c) a molded plastic screw cap axially movable on said body andsurrounding the same,

(d) cooperable thread means on the tubular body and screw cap foreffecting axial movement of the latter in response to its being turned,

(e) said cap having an orifice in its top, adapted to be closed by theclosure pin when the cap is screwed down on the tubular body, whereinthe improvement comprises:

(f) said screw cap including an upright duct disposed between andconnecting the orifice thereof and the interior of the cap,

(g) said duct surrounding the closure pin and having means at itsinside, coacti-ng with said pin to control the flow of liquid productpast the pin,

(h) said pin and flow-control means providing for a progressively lessrestricted passage for product through the duct as the cap is unscrewedmore and more,

(i) said flow control means of the duct comprising a generally taperedbore thereof,

(j) said tapered bore having its smaller end adjacent the said orifice,

(k) said tapered bore of the duct being threaded.

9. A dispensing closure cap comprising, in combination:

(a) an upright tubular molded plastic, yieldable body adapted to becarried on a container, the bore of said body constituting a dischargepassage for product to be dispensed from the container,

(b) said body having a closure pin disposed'at the end of said dischargepassage and extending upward from the center of the upper end of thebody,

(0) a molded plastic screw cap axially movable on said body andsurrounding the same,

(d) cooperable thread means on the tubular body and screw cap foreffecting axial movement of the latter in response to its being turned,

(e) said cap having an orifice in its top, adapted to be closed by theclosure pin when the cap is screwed down on the tubular body, whereinthe improvement comprises:

(f) said screw cap including an upright duct disposed between andconnecting the orifice thereof and the interior of the cap,

(g) said duct surrounding the closure pin and having means at itsinside, coacting with said pin to control the flow of liquid productpast the pin,

(h) said pin and flow-control means providing for a progressively lessrestricted passage for product through the duct as the cap is unscrewedmore and more,

(i) said fiow control means of the duct comprising a generally taperedbore thereof,

(j) said tapered bore having its smaller end adjacent the said orifice,

(k) said tapered bore of the duct having internal longitudinal groovesof tapered depth.

10. A dispensing closure cap comprising, in combination:

(d) cooperable thread means on the tubular body and screw cap foreffecting axial movement of the latter in response to its being turned,

(e) said cap having an orifice in its top, adapted to be closed by theclosure pin when the cap is screwed down on the tubular body, whereinthe improvement comprises:

(f) said screw cap including an upright duct disposed between andconnecting the orifice thereof and the interior of the cap,

(g) said duct surrounding the closure pin and having means at itsinside, coacting with said pin to control the flow of liquid productpast the pin,

(h) said'pinand flow-control means providing for a progressively lessrestricted passage for product through the duct as the cap is unscrewedmore and more,

(i) two circumferentially-acting positive stop means are provided,limiting respectively the fully screwed and fully unscrewed positions ofthe cap, said stop means comprising cooperable shoulder surfaces on theyieldable body and screw cap, said body having two said shouldersurfaces circumferentially-spaced apart.

11. A cap as in claim 10, wherein:

(a) the stop means comprises two separate stop devices,

(b) each such stop device positively limiting both the fully screwed andfully unscrewed positions of the cap.

, References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS ROBERT B. REEVES, PrimaryExaminer.

HADD S. LANE, Assistant Examiner.

